Cost of Living in Elma, WA
Population: 3,452 | Washington
Elma is 1% less expensive than the national average.
Cost of Living in Elma, WA: What You Need to Know
With a cost of living index of 99, Elma, WA is right around the national average in cost. Living here is 1% cheaper than the national average and 21% below the Washington state average of 119. Elma is a small community of 3,452 residents.
Housing costs are the biggest factor in Elma's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $987 (25% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $379,200 (24% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 5.7x the median household income — a stretch for many buyers, though not uncommon in today's market.
The median household income in Elma is $66,194, which is 12% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 18% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum.
Climate is another factor for anyone considering a move to Elma. The area sees an average annual temperature of 51.4°F, with summers averaging 63°F and winters around 41°F. Annual rainfall totals 67.9 inches spread over roughly 167 days.
Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.
Income
- Median Household Income
- $66,194
- vs US Median ($75,149)
- -12%
Housing
- Median Rent
- $987/mo
- Median Home Value
- $379,200
- Median Monthly Housing Cost
- $1,016/mo
Climate in Elma
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 47 | 50 | 55 | 60 | 67 | 72 | 78 | 79 | 74 | 62 | 52 | 46 |
| Avg °F | 40 | 42 | 45 | 49 | 55 | 60 | 65 | 65 | 61 | 51 | 44 | 40 |
| Low °F | 34 | 33 | 35 | 38 | 44 | 49 | 52 | 52 | 48 | 41 | 36 | 33 |
| Rain" | 11.1 | 6.7 | 7.2 | 4.9 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 7.0 | 11.6 | 10.9 |